SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- This year's New York State Fair will feature a new series that gives audiences a chance to interact with some of their favorite television stars, past and present.

The two-night "Up Close With..." series will feature childhood actors from "The Brady Bunch" and comedians from "Chelsea Lately."

On Saturday, Aug. 23, three roundtable comedians from the TV talk show "Chelsea Lately" will be on hand to perform brief standup routines and riff on popular culture. The showcase will feature Brad Wollack, the show's co-executive producer; Heather McDonald, a roundtable regular; and Fortune Feimster, a writer and roundtable member.

Sunday, Aug. 24, the Fair will host "The Way We All Became the Brady Bunch." The show is a moderated discussion with three original "Brady Bunch" cast members: Barry Williams (Greg Brady), Christopher Knight (Peter Brady) and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady). Syracuse University professor Robert Thompson -- who is director of the university's Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture -- will moderate the discussion.

Both events take place at the Empire Theater of the Art & Home Center and start at 7:30 p.m. Doors open for each at 6 p.m. A meet-and-greet will follow each session.

General admission tickets for each event are $20, available only at the State Fair Box Office in Geddes starting July 18. The box office will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"In 2014, we are broadening our entertainment offerings like never before," said Acting Fair Director Troy Waffner. "These shows will give fans a chance to see some of their favorite performers and hear unfiltered stories from behind the scenes."